The holidays will look a little different this year. Here’s how to make the best of Thanksgiving when you’re staying at home.

So, you’ve decided to stay home for Thanksgiving. Or you live alone and don’t want to travel. Or, you live with one or two other people and have decided to have Thanksgiving together, but have a really tiny, barely functioning kitchen to cook your food in. If any of these situations apply, then I have the perfect list for you! Here are the things you need to make the best out of a COVID-19 Thanksgiving.

1. An Instant Pot

Courtesy of amazon.com

Are you part of the tiny kitchen club? Me too; let’s get t-shirts! If you are longing for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner but lack the means to make it for this reason, then the Instant Pot is about to become your new best friend. You can cook pretty much anything in one of these. It functions as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, sous vide, sauté pan, rice cooker, food warmer, yogurt maker (!), cake maker (!), stockpot, and steamer! (I am not a spokesperson for this product, I swear.) Based on that, you can make an entire Thanksgiving dinner with this thing. And if you want to go the non-traditional route in your food choices, there are tons of Instant Pot cookbooks out there for you to try new recipes (like this one)! I highly recommend you get yourself one.

2. One of Those Small Wal-Mart Turkeys

Courtesy of presleyspantry.com

You may have heard the news that this year, retail giant Wal-Mart is going to be selling turkeys earlier in the month, at a slightly smaller size. They’re doing this to accommodate the people who are having smaller Thanksgiving gatherings. Obviously, these turkeys have made this list for that very reason. It’s the perfect thing if you want the traditional Thanksgiving staple but are by yourself or with only a few people. Also, it’ll probably fit inside that Instant Pot you’ve already bought!

3. A Reliable Internet Connection

Since the pandemic started, people have been using various platforms to virtually visit their relatives. And hey, if it worked for Easter and Passover, it’ll work for Thanksgiving, too! Plus, you probably have at least one subscription to a streaming service, right? Well, then you can also watch various movies with the family (or on your own). Here are some new flicks that just arrived to Netflix this month.

Courtesy of macysthanksgiving.fandom.com

And if one of your traditions for Thanksgiving is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, then good news! It’s being held virtually this year! While it won’t be aired with a crowd, it’s still on, so you can catch all your favorite parts. It’s strictly television only, on its usual network NBC, and if you’ve streamed it in past years, it’ll still be available.

4. Games for the Young Ones

Courtesy of amazon.com

Fall is my favorite season for many reasons, one of which is the weather. If you can’t travel but still want to venture outside for fresh air, may I suggest taking the kids with you on a scavenger hunt? Game night is the perfect stay-at-home activity, even when it’s not a holiday. This one (pictured) is great and includes both outdoor and indoor versions, if it’s too cold. Board games are also fun, and puzzles are a great way to pass the time (this one is even Thanksgiving-themed!).

5. Autumn Scented Candles

Courtesy of Amazon

There’s no better way to create ambiance for the season than with scented candles! I am a scented candle fiend, needing to be pulled away from the storefront every time I pass a Bath and Body Works. You can be sure I want my home to smell like the season. When you’re cooped up at home, bringing in smells of the outside is the next best thing.

Whether you’re having a small get-together with your immediate family, or you’re on your own for the holidays this year, there are so many ways to celebrate and still feel the spirit of the season! Be it crafty projects, game nights, or virtual get-togethers, there’s always a way to make the best out of unfortunate situations. I hope this list helps you come up with good ideas to celebrate, and I hope you, dear reader, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!